Who is Warren County sheriff’s deputy Katie Barnes?

Warren County sheriff's deputy Katie Barnes was shot Thursday evening while responding to a domestic violence call in Deerfield Twp.

She has been with the sheriff’s office over seven years, first starting as a corrections officer.

On Thursday, Barnes fired four rounds back at suspect Mohammad Abdu Laghaoui, said Sheriff Larry Sims.

“She was tremendous; she’s a very athletic lady,” Sims said.

Throughout Katie Barnes’ athletic career in the last two decades, this news outlet has followed her achievements at Mason High School and West Virginia University.

Barnes, a former professional and college soccer star, later coached the sport at Mason High School from 2007 to 2009, where she had attended high school from 1994 to 1998 and played varsity soccer.

During that time she set a number of girls’ soccer records and remains among the record books as one of the school’s top soccer players.

Mason City Schools released a statement Friday: “Our entire Comet community is very proud of Warren County Sheriff’s Deputy and 1998 MHS graduate Katie Barnes — who was a stellar student-athlete, and who has committed her life to serving others. Her quick response last night no doubt prevented a further tragedy, and we are so glad to learn that she is doing well today.”

Barnes then attended West Virginia University and starred on its soccer team to eventually be selected for the school’s Hall of Fame. She graduated in 2002 with a degree in communication studies.

According to the West Virginia University’s Sports Hall of Fame, Barnes was: “West Virginia’s first women’s soccer All-American, Katie Barnes rewrote the Mountaineer record book during her tenure at WVU from 1998-2001.

The Mason, Ohio, native started every match in her career and helped lead the Mountaineers to their first-ever NCAA tournament appearance as a junior in 2000. That season, Barnes scored 17 goals and added nine assists for a 43-point season. At the time, no women’s soccer player boasted better seasonal numbers.”

According to the university: “As a senior, Barnes was named First Team All-Big East, an NSCAA/adidas First Team All-American, an NSCAA/adidas Mid-Atlantic Region first team member, a Soccer Buzz First Team Mid-Atlantic Region member, a Soccer Buzz Second Team All-American, a National Strength and Conditioning All-American, recipient of the Fred Schaus Captain’s Award and team captain.”

The school’s website states that Barnes was a member of the United States U-21 National Team that won three consecutive Nordic Cups. In 2004, she trained with America’s elite, in hopes of becoming a member of the United States full National Team.

In 2002, Barnes became the first West Virginia women’s soccer player to be drafted by the Women’s United Soccer Association (WUSA). She joined the Carolina Courage and during her first season, helped the team win the 2002 Founders Cup, according to the university’s website.

According to the school, Barnes was also a member of WUSA’s San Jose CyberRays and Cincinnati Ladyhawks in the United Soccer League.

Barnes then spent four seasons as an assistant women’s soccer coach at Alabama, the university said.

Barnes is currently employed with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office as a deputy sheriff.